A sub-regional management framework for South Pacific longline fisheries

The principal objective of this study was to determine if additional net benefits can be derived from the sub-regional longline fishery by the introduction of a new management agreement that would centre on the provision of licensing arrangements that would allow access by eligible longline vessels to multiple Exclusive Economic Zones, i.e. Multi-zone Access. [90pp.

General relationships of mammalian orders and evolutionary development of primates inferred from best-fit α-globin phylogenies

A best-fit α-globin phylogeny was identified by means of a global minimization approach from among the topologies generated by a parsimony strategy. Zip parsimony method was used to derive a set of near-parsimonious trees. For each of these topologies, a difference matrix was computed; and the topology with the best goodness of fit with the original matrix was retained as the best tree. Based on this phylogenetic scheme inter-relationships among eutherian orders and the evolutionary development of primates has been discussed

Produktivitas Tenaga Kerja dan Peralatan terhadap Sistem Bongkar Muat di Pelabuhan Pantoloan

Efektivitas dan efisiensi adalah merupakan hal yang penting untuk diperhatikan dalam perencanaan dan pengembangan fasilitas/prasarana pelabuhan agar supaya penanaman modal benar-benar tepat sasaran tidak terjadi pemborosan tetapi juga tidak terjadi salah perhitungan. Dalam hal ini pelabuhan Pantoloan yang mempunyai peran dan fungsi sebagai pelabuhan nasional yang melayani pelayaran nusantara, sangatlah perlu untuk diketahui kinerja operasionalnya saat kini. Permasalahan yang akan diteliti melalui suatu studi adalah: menghitung ukuran produktivitas tenaga kerja, sistem kerja dan biaya yang diperlukan, menghitung ukuran kerja penggunaan peralatan baik di kapal maupun di darat. Berdasarkan permasalahan di atas, maka dipakai metode dari Depertemen Perhubungan untuk menghitung komponen-komponen tersebut berupa: menghitung produktivitas tenaga kerja, menghitung pemanfaatan peralatan dan menghitung pemanfaatan dermaga. Adapun hasil yang diperoleh adalah sebagai berikut: Dengan memakai sistem borongan tingkat produktivitas tenaga kerja masih rendah dan banyak waktu yang terbuang, pemanfaatan peralatan di kapal masih rendah kecuali untuk peti kemas, sedangkan peralatan darat juga masih rendah. Nilai BOR yang diperoleh masih jauh dari optimal, Akibatnya pengembangan kawasan sekitarnya masih kecil kemungkinannya

A robust machine learning approach to SDG data segmentation

In the light of the recent technological advances in computing and data explosion, the complex interactions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) present both a challenge and an opportunity to researchers and decision makers across fields and sectors. The deep and wide socio-economic, cultural and technological variations across the globe entail a unified understanding of the SDG project. The complexity of SDGs interactions and the dynamics through their indicators align naturally to technical and application specifics that require interdisciplinary solutions. We present a consilient approach to expounding triggers of SDG indicators. Illustrated through data segmentation, it is designed to unify our understanding of the complex overlap of the SDGs by utilising data from different sources. The paper treats each SDG as a Big Data source node, with the potential to contribute towards a unified understanding of applications across the SDG spectrum. Data for five SDGs was extracted from the United Nations SDG indicators data repository and used to model spatio-temporal variations in search of robust and consilient scientific solutions. Based on a number of pre-determined assumptions on socio-economic and geo-political variations, the data is subjected to sequential analyses, exploring distributional behaviour, component extraction and clustering. All three methods exhibit pronounced variations across samples, with initial distributional and data segmentation patterns isolating South Africa from the remaining five countries. Data randomness is dealt with via a specially developed algorithm for sampling, measuring and assessing, based on repeated samples of different sizes. Results exhibit consistent variations across samples, based on socio-economic, cultural and geo-political variations entailing a unified understanding, across disciplines and sectors. The findings highlight novel paths towards attaining informative patterns for a unified understanding of the triggers of SDG indicators and open new paths to interdisciplinary research

Assessment of Urban Cattle Keeping Patterns and Waste Disposal Mechanisms in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Urban livestock production has recorded significant growth in East Africa since the 1970’s. However, proximity to cattle creates potential to public health hazards due to poor hygiene caused by the presence of dung, and flies and parasites that transmit zoonotic diseases. These environmental problems from urban cattle farming threaten both human life and natural ecosystems. The objective of the current study was to assess the patterns of cattle keeping in Nakuru Municipality in Kenya, and identify cattle waste disposal mechanisms in relation to environmental pollution. Through a cross-sectional survey, primary data was collected using sets of structured and semi-structured questionnaires and focused group discussions. To select respondents to be interviewed, stratified sampling was used followed by simple random sampling within the strata. Fishers Exact Formula was then applied to get the 186 cattle keepers that were interviewed. Subsequently, descriptive statistics was used to describe the results, and Chi-square and paired t- tests performed to determine the existence of differences between observations. Results indicate that almost all cattle (80% of the respondents) were found either on owners’ and landlords’ plots. The number of cattle kept on “own land” differed (P<0.005) from that reared on “tenant/ rental” land (t183=7.95, P=0.000). Majority of the cattle were grazed on roadsides/ streets, some under zero-grazing and the rest (10.3%) under semi zero-grazing. Differences existed between various production systems, i.e., zero-grazing vs semi zero-grazing (t77=2.280, P=0.012) and roadside/ street grazing vs semi zero-grazing (t165=3.50, P=0.001). Much (52.2%) of the cattle waste was used as manure for crops, and the rest (10.2%) dumped on the streets, and dustbins, pits and compounds (10.2%).Use of waste as manure on crops differed from giving it away to neighbours, 26.9%, (t145=3.137, P=0.001).Generally, land was a limiting factor that made the cattle keepers opt for free-range grazing system, which exposed the Municipality to cattle waste. Use of manure on crops as the major method of waste disposal was inadequate as a means of disposal, resulting in exposure of the Municipality to a serious problem of cattle waste. The findings of this study provide information that the Municipal authorities, policy makers and cattle keepers would need in terms of managing the menace of cattle waste in the Municipality. Keywords: Environmental Pollution, Cattle Waste, Urban Cattle Keepin

Environmental Effects of Urban Cattle Keeping in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Dilemma exists in Kenya among various urban dwellers and policy makers on whether to promote or prohibit urban cattle keeping. This is due to the intricate nature of the tradeoffs between its benefits and associated environmental hazards. The current study, therefore, sought to assess environmental effects of urban cattle keeping in Nakuru Municipality in Nakuru County of Kenya. Through a cross-sectional survey, primary data was collected using sets of structured and semi-structured questionnaires, and focused group discussions. Stratified sampling was used, with simple random sampling within the strata applied. Fishers Exact Formula was then used to select the 186 cattle keepers that were interviewed. Chi-square and paired t-tests were performed to determine the existence of significant differences between observations. Results indicate that majority (90.3%) of the survey respondents disagreed that cattle waste had any environmental hazards. This was due to lack of awareness among urban cattle keepers on environmental hazards related to livestock keeping in confined areas and close proximity to human beings. Most (82.8%) of the survey respondents who practiced zero-grazing perceived bad odour/ air pollution as an environmental hazard. Similarly, those who grazed their cattle by the roadside or streets perceived bad odour /air pollution and littered streets as environmental hazards. Overall, the type of cattle rearing system was highly associated with environmental hazards. The number of cattle kept, however, was independent of the environmental hazard (P=0.191, ?24=6.109). The heaping of manure in the cattle pen was more likely to contaminate the environment than when given away or applied on the kitchen garden. There were differences in the rating of environmental hazards of cattle waste across levels of education attained by the respondents (P=0.191, ?24= 6.109). However, there were no differences between respondents who deposited cattle waste less than 10 meters away from the household and those who deposited it farther away. Generally, there was no proper cattle waste management procedures in Nakuru Municipality. It is recommended that cattle waste management be decentralized with active participation of organized urban cattle keepers and supported by the public. User pay principle should also be applied whereby urban cattle keepers pay a determined fee for cattle waste collection. This would assist in the sustainability of the decentralized service. The findings in the current study are useful for policy formulation on the management of cattle waste and associated environmental hazards in the Municipality and other areas with similar circumstances. Keywords: Environmental Hazards, Urban Cattle Keeping, Cattle waste, Nakuru, Keny

Implementation of HIV Self-Testing to Reach Men in Rural uMkhanyakude, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. a DO-ART Trial Sub Study

Background: KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates globally. Persons <35 years and men have lower rates of HIV testing. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may overcome many barriers of facility-based HIV testing in order to identify HIV positive young persons and men and link them to care. We investigated whether HIVST distribution was a feasible approach to reach men and assessed the proportion of participants who reported their HIVST results, tested positive and linked to care. / Methods: Teams comprised of a nurse, clinic research assistant, and recruiters distributed HIVST kits in rural uMkhanyakude, KwaZulu-Natal from August—November 2018 with a focus on testing men. Workplaces (farms), social venues, taxi ranks, and homesteads were used as HIVST kit distribution points following community sensitisation through community advisory boards and community leaders. HIVST kits, demonstration of use, and small incentives to report testing outcomes were provided. The Department of Health provided confirmatory testing and HIV care at clinics. / Results: Over 11 weeks in late 2018, we distributed 2,634 HIVST kits of which 2,113 (80%) were distributed to persons aged <35 years, 2,591 (98%) to men and 356 (14%) to first time testers. Of the HIVST distributed, 2,107 (80%) reported their results to the study team, and 157 (7%) tested positive. Of persons who tested positive, 107/130 (82%) reported having a confirmatory test of which 102/107 (95%) were positive and initiated on ART. No emergencies or social harms were reported. / Conclusion: Large scale distribution of HIVST kits targeting men in rural KwaZulu-Natal is feasible and highly effective in reaching men, including those who had not previously tested for HIV. While two-thirds of persons who tested HIV positive initiated ART, additional linkage strategies are needed for those who do not link after HIVST. HIVST should be used as a tool to reach men in order to achieve 95% coverage in the UNAIDS testing and care cascade in KwaZulu-Natal

The Role of Necropsy in Diagnostic Dilemmas as Seen in a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Background. Necropsy (autopsy) has helped medical science and law. It has given rise to numerous diagnostic surprises as it explains cause of death, pathogenesis of diseases, and circumstances of death. It also explains reasons for most therapeutic failures. In spite of its usefulness, the rate has dropped worldwide and Africa is worse hit. This work aims to highlight the role autopsy (Necropsy) plays in demystifying diagnostic dilemmas and to encourage its patronage by medical practitioners, law enforcement agents and society. Methods. This is a retrospective review of autopsy and clinical reports of cases seen by pathologists and physicians in the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, North central Nigeria. Results. A total 166 cases were studied out of which 52 had same diagnosis for both attending physician and pathologist, 106 had different diagnoses and in eight cases diagnoses remained unknown even after autopsy was performed. Conclusions. Autopsy remains an important tool for obtaining definitive diagnosis, determining cause of death to explain pathogenesis of diseases, medical auditing and a vital source of data for health statistics and planning

Comparative secretome analysis of Colletotrichum falcatum identifies a cerato-platanin protein (EPL1) as a potential pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) inducing systemic resistance in sugarcane

Colletotrichum falcatum, an intriguing hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen causes the devastating red rot disease of sugarcane. Repeated in vitro subculturing of C. falcatum under dark condition alters morphology and reduces virulence of the culture. Hitherto, no information is available on this phenomenon at molecular level. In this study, the in vitro secretome of C. falcatum cultured under light and dark conditions was analyzed using 2-DE coupled with MALDI TOF/TOF MS. Comparative analysis identified nine differentially abundant proteins. Among them, seven proteins were less abundant in the dark-cultured C. falcatum, wherein only two protein species of a cerato-platanin protein called EPL1 (eliciting plant response-like protein) were found to be highly abundant. Transcriptional expression of candidate high abundant proteins were profiled during host-pathogen interaction using qRT-PCR. Comprehensively, this comparative secretome analysis identified five putative effectors, two pathogenicity-related proteins and one pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) of C. falcatum. Functional characterization of three distinct domains of the PAMP (EPL1) showed that the major cerato-platanin domain (EPL1 Δ N1–92) is exclusively essential for inducing defense and hypersensitive response (HR) in sugarcane and tobacco, respectively. Further, priming with EPL1 Δ N1–92 protein induced systemic resistance and significantly suppressed the red rot disease severity in sugarcane. Biological significance Being the first secretomic investigation of C. falcatum, this study has identified five potential effectors, two pathogenicity-related proteins and a PAMP. Although many reports have highlighted the influence of light on pathogenicity, this study has established a direct link between light and expression of effectors, for the first time. This study has presented the influence of a novel N-terminal domain of EPL1 in physical and biological properties and established the functional role of major cerato-platanin domain of EPL1 as a potential elicitor inducing systemic resistance in sugarcane. Comprehensively, the study has identified proteins that putatively contribute to virulence of C. falcatum and for the first time, demonstrated the potential role of EPL1 in inducing PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) in sugarcane